Sermon: If the Foundations be Destroyed, What Can the Righteous Do?
Psalms 11:1-7 “I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds. For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.”
Introduction: More than any part of the Scriptures, it is the Psalms that have provided the greatest comfort for God’s struggling people through the centuries. Certainly I, as I have read through the Psalms over the last few weeks during this season of unrest, have had my vision lifted beyond the wreck of the world and set on the glory of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Here David asks, “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” I imagine that many of us over these last few weeks have felt like “the foundations are being destroyed.” Of course, many of us endure dark times in our lives where we feel that the very things that have given our lives stability have been pulled out from under us. The news reports are filled with stories of disasters, winter storms, government layoffs, deportations and limitless corruption. It is enough to make your head spin.
This psalm is another depiction of David in trouble. It may have been written when he fled from Saul's court and was hiding in the wilderness (Psalm 18). Or David may have written it when his son Absalom was pursuing him (Psalm 3). Whatever the occasion, this psalm expresses David's trust in the Lord as all-knowing and righteous.
What an interesting Psalms this is, as David the sweet psalmist of Israel, a man after God own heart, who considered His service of King Saul and of Israel as his post of duty; and would not listen to temptations presented by his advisers to desert it in fear. This event occurred early in the life of David. Up unto this point his life had been almost a fairytale yet it was true.
David’s story is very familiar to most of us. We remember him as a shepherd tending his father’s sheep. This son of Jessie, earned a great reputation as a great protector of the sheep, killing and a bear and a lion. We are also familiar with his musical skills and extraordinary anointing. Probably, nothing pushed David to the forefront as his noted battle with Goliath. In this psalm, David must face a new giant. After his defeat of Goliath, he was moved to the palace of king Saul and given the king’s daughter for a bride. The privilege to serve in Saul’s and defend his nation must have been simply awesome. Can you imagine being promoted from a shepherd boy with no military training to becoming a commander in the king’s army, the son-in-law of the king, and the king’s personal armor bearer. He moved from a commoner to royalty and his family would be tax exempt.
David has almost forgotten being overlooked by his father and brothers because King Saul treats him more like a son than a soldier. David really looks to king Saul as a father figure. He admired his stature, his vision and wisdom. So, David serves king Saul with all his might. Whatever task was required of David, He excelled. With every successful deed, His popularity grew. David became the subject of legends. Psalmists sang his praise, the people celebrated him, the soldiers admired him, and the Generals highly respected him. David was living the dream.
Little did he know, that his newly found popularity would stir up so much envy, jealousy and opposition. King Saul, his mentor and friend would become his chief enemy. Saul who had been known for his humble beginnings, honesty and just acts was now trying to take David’s life. Even Jonathan, Saul’s son recognized that Saul’s attitude had changed towards David. Now Saul was full of rage and anger against David. David’s advisors came to him saying, we know that you trust in God, and understand that you are not the kind of person to run away from your responsibility, but let’s be reasonable. “In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
In other words, you know that we always be with you, but if the king controls the government, And there is no place to appeal or plead, and he has turned his army against you, and if there is no justice or righteousness in the land, What can the righteous do? You need to hide yourself, find a place of safety! In David’s reply, he assures his advisors that everything has not changed. It would be different If God's oath and promises could be removed. If they were, what could we do? Here in this text, the answer is easy. If all earthly things fail, and the very State falls to pieces, what can we do? David suggests that the righteous, if necessary, can (1) suffer joyfully, (2) hope cheerfully, (3) wait patiently, (4) pray earnestly, (5) believe confidently, and if they do, they will triumph finally. Had David been guilty of any crime, he ought to have had a fair trial by the laws: but Saul tried to assassinate him, contrary to justice, and to the fundamental law of all nations. One writer describes the Psalms as a rich repository of experimental knowledge.
God allows us to see David at different periods of his life and at different stages of his personal development. David was placed in almost every situation in which a believer, whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated, can be placed. We hear his testimony and the thoughts of his heart. He introduces us to the sentiments and conduct of the various people involved in his troubles and triumphs. When he penned this Psalm, he was under strong persecution from King Saul. The scriptures retrace his journey so that we can see in detail the many times God intervened and spared his life. But David being strong in faith, spurned the idea for trying to kill Saul, and became more determined to confidently trust in God. The grounds of his confidence is revealed in this text: (1) God’s supreme dominion (2) God’s watchful care of His people (3) God’s hatred of the wicked and His plan for them and (4) finally God’s love for the righteous and righteousness.
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? David’s friends were concerned that even righteous people are subject to compromise and change and practice trickery in deceitful times. How difficult it is to remain faithful in deceitful times. Their warning to David was not limited to Saul, many men will do anything to save their position, status and reputation. They warned David not to trust the church or the government for there is pressure is on everyone. And everyone is under Saul’s control. David almost became distressed. Listen to Psalms 55:5-8, “Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.”
Psalms 82:5 “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.”
Often our times are just as insecure as David’s. We don’t know what tomorrow may bring. We face pressures on every side, problems and pressures within and without. There is enough blame to go around. Laity blame the clergy and vice versa; congress blame the House of representatives, they both blame the president; and the president blames everybody, the press, the legislators and so on. What can the righteous do? Here are several suggestions.
1.The Righteous Must Trust in God. David decides to trust God with all his heart regardless of what his was saying. Friends and enemies alike have a way of getting into our heads. You can watch for your enemies and walk away from your friends, but do you silence your thoughts. This is not mind over matter. David rehearsed the grounds of his confidence. God alone has dominion; God has a watchful eye over me; God hates the wicked and will judge them. And God loves the righteous and honor righteousness. The Psalms instruct us many times to trust in God, and they also tell us to trust in his love, his word, and his character. There are many verses that say that we can trust in his unfailing love. God’s commands are trustworthy. His character is unchanging, his faithfulness is sure, and his strength never fails. He is our refuge. We can trust God to will never leave us, will never stop loving us, will not be shaken, imparts good judgement and teaches us, and is a refuge and fortress.
2.The Righteous Must Examine themselves. God will at times try the righteous. David acknowledges his position as a righteous child of God. We all need to be sure of where we stand. Testing time in the believer’s life is a time for reexamination. 2Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
2Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
We must examine ourselves and stand for right even if the courts compromise, politicians refuse to stand and leaders yield to bribery, the righteous must stand for right. Proverbs 29:2-3 “When good people run things, everyone is glad, but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans. If you love wisdom, you'll delight your parents, but you'll destroy their trust if you run with prostitutes.” The righteous must examine themselves, then do right and stay right.
3. The Righteous Must Arm Themselves for the Battle Ahead. David’s battle got worse before it got better. We must arm ourselves for the battles ahead. Receive the encouragement we need from Ephesians 6.
Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
A. Stand having your loins girt about with truth - Get the word in your mind or head!
B. Stand having the breastplate of righteousness in place. - Get the word in your heart
C. Stand with your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel. - Get the word in your walk.
D. Stand covered by the shield of faith. - Get the word in your talk
E. Stand under the helmet of Salvation. – Get balanced in your thinking, decision making!
F. Stand armed with the sword of the Spirit. – Make right application of the word. The right word at the right time. The righteous must arm themselves for the battles ahead.
4. The Righteous Must Report for Duty. Report for duty! Luke 19:12-13 “He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Report ready to service. Be ready and willing to serve, Ready to Pray, Ready to Witness and Ready to be faithful to God’s Kingdom enterprise. We have been given the whole armor of God for a reason. So, report for duty.
Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
God is still with us. He is our equipper and enabler. Jesus gave us the Great Commandment, the Great Commission and the Great Collaboration for successful ministry. Be a credible, Christian disciples who “reports for Duty” 1. The Righteous Must Trust in God. 2. The Righteous Must Examine Themselves. 3. The Righteous Must Arm Themselves for the Battles Ahead. 4. The Righteous Must Show Up for Duty. Report for duty!
The righteous has always found a hiding place in the Lord. Proverbs 18:10-11 Amplified Bible (AMP), “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high far above evil.” David must first calm his mind (limit the bad news). Then watch what God will do to the wicked and their wicked plans. Remember that everything has not changed regardless of how you feel. God is still in charge!
If every earthly foundation fails, what can the righteous do? Here in this text, the answer is clear. If all earthly things fail, and the very state of the world, the country and society fall to pieces, what can we do? David suggests that the righteous can prepare (1) suffer joyfully, if necessary (2) hope cheerfully, (3) wait patiently, (4) pray earnestly, (5) believe confidently, and if they do, they will triumph finally.
The ground of David’s confidence is revealed in this text: (1) God has supreme dominion over everything (2) God has a watchful over the cares of His people (3) God has a profound hatred of the wickedness and has a plan for the wicked (4) finally God has an everlasting love for the righteous and will cause righteousness to prevail. Be faithful! Revelations 2:10 “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of Life.” Amen.
